By way of analogy allow me to exaggerate about how to rob a bank without a gun. First, you become an elected official—say, a Mendocino county supervisor. Thus, no need for a firearm. Use your…
Posts published in “Essays”
The dread sound of Fukushima hardly sets the joyous Christmas bell to ringing. But a recent disc bearing simply that name from the experimental jazz pianist, composer and bandleader Satoko Fujii leading the twelve-piece Orchestra…
The Fort Bragg City Council met at Town Hall last Monday night in another meeting running to the legal maximum of 10pm. From the outset, it looked ominously like it was going to be a…
At one time early in the twentieth century Fort Bragg, California, was home to three dozen whore houses at the same time. The most unusual of these sat on an island, a roughly drawn line…
“Human beings are the only species on the planet who have inflicted on their own species the need to buy, rent, or beg for their natural niches, their own living space. Every other species has…
I was working as assistant chowdermaster in Mendocino County's worst seafood restaurant, which shall of course remain nameless. I have no desire to interfere with anyone's livelihood, particularly someone as well-meaning and earnest in their…
Several things my father said repeatedly occur to me. The first piece of useful information I recall him passing along, was "Hold your sleeves" when putting on a second or third layer of clothing. I…
My friends and I were renting an old farmhouse in Solsbury, Indiana for $45 a month, ice cream cones were five cents in the little store down the road. I was almost eighteen and felt…